CoPTAM Press Statement

CoPTAM Press Statement

Joint Statement between CDSU & CDPSA

CDSU Press Release

CDPSA Press Release

Investing Crs in Tipaimukh Dam with a difference Fraud caught duping gullible people

IMPHAL, Sep 23(TSE) : Though there is uncertainty on whe-ther the controversial Ti- paimukh Dam project would take off or not, a man is found to have duped as many as 117 aspiring candidates from across the four valley districts of the State and collected crores of rupees from them on false promise of  providing jobs in the National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) in connection with the construction of Tipaimukh Dam.
The man has been identified as Moirangthem Pishak s/o late Iboton of Moirang Khunou but staying at his wife's place at Uripok Polem Leikai.
Talking to mediapersons at Manipur Press Club here today, some of the aspiring candidates who have been cheated cautioned the public against frauds like Pi- shak.
They informed that Pi-shak collected the money on the assurance of recruiting them to various posts like personal officer, LDC, account officer, store in-charge, cashier, convenor, assistant officer, clerk, accountant, computer atten- dant, welder, attendant and mechanic in National Hydro Electric Power Corpo- ration (NHPC) in connection with the construction of Tipaimukh dam.
Pishak also showed them fake documents of NHPC related to the alleged recruitment of these posts to convince them to part with their hard earned mo-ney.     
For the post of assistant officer, Pishak had taken anywhere between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.10 lakh, Rs 3.7 lakhs  for the post of account officer, Rs 50,000 for the post of computer attendant, Rs 1 lakh for PRO, Rs 1.4 lakh for Peon and Rs 1.5 lakh for driver, etc. After having collected the amount, Pishak told the aspiring candidates to go for interview at Dispur Secretariat office at Guwahati on August 24. When the candidates reached there, much to their horror, they learnt that there was no interview or any recruitment process. The candidates also confirmed from the NHPC officials that the documents provided to them by Pishak were faked. Half an hour before the supposed interview, Pishak  also reportedly telephoned to the candidates informing that the interview has been postponed.

Dialogue with Kuki outfits soon: CS

IMPHAL, Sept 23:(NP)
Manipur Chief Secretary DS Poonia has asserted that political dialogue with Kuki based militants maintaining ceasefire with government forces under tripartite suspension of agreement (SoO) would start soon.
"We have good conditions to start political dialogue with the signatory outfits (under SoO) and try to solve all the issues. The dialogue with the 18 Kuki militants, signatory of the tripartite SoO agreement with the Central and state government will be initiated at the earliest," the chief secretary said.
He was speaking as chief guest of the inaugural function of the "Camp Ebenezer" the designated peace camp of the Kuki National Front today at Sadar Hill in Senapati district. Local MLA of Saikhul Assembly constituency Doukhomang Kipgen, president of Kuki Women Union Manipur Rose Mangsi also attended the inaugural function.
"Terms and conditions of the dialogue will be chalked in the next round of tripartite talks scheduled on September 29 in which progress of implementation of the agreement arrived at last meeting held in New Delhi will be reviewed," Poonia said.
The separate tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF) and Central and State government on one side existing since 2008 August 22 was extended by 45 days in a talk held in New Delhi on August 22 of this year.
The next round of talks is to be held on October 6 next and it will also chalk out modality of the political dialogue between the two organisations, official said.
The agreement also includes cadres of all signatory outfits to enter to their designated camps opened at different places and to deposit arms to be kept under double lock by September 20 which would be kept in the camp armoury or with the nominated Police/SFs.
Construction of 10 designated camps had so far been completed and cadres entered the camp and deposited their arms in the double lock armouries.
Rose Mangsi, president of Kuki Women's Union Manipur, speaking on the occasion, appealed the government not to do anything which would demoralize the cadres after they lodged at the designated camps.
"Governments should treat them with regard as they were stepping towards peace in the region," she added.
Mangsi, exhorting the cadres said that they should not be demoralized and can do many things for the welfare of the Kuki people.
Leaders of the KNF reiterated that the signing of SoO agreement and deposit of arms should not be treated as an end to the struggle of the outfit and appealed for sincerity of the Central government in bringing a settlement through political dialogue.
Reiterating their demands, they said a separate state for the Kuki in the hill area of Manipur will be among other agendas to be included in the political dialogue.

Mary Kom wins fifth sucessive World Boxing Championship gold

19 Sep, 2010 TNN

NEW DELHI: MC Mary Kom won the historic fifth successive Women's World Boxing Championship gold with a thumping 16-6 win over Steluta Duta of Romania in the 48kg weight categroy final.

Earlier, Mary Kom (48kg) defeated Alice Kate Aparri of Philippines 8-1 in the semifinals. However, there was disappointment as well for India when Kavita (+81kg) settled for a bronze after losing 2-14 to Ukraine's Kateryna Kuzhel in the semifinals.

But Mary Kom, a mother-of-two from Manipur who is the only boxer to have won a medal in each edition of the World Championship, ensured that the Indian camp had something to cheer about.

AICC flays Mnp failure to protect Christians

IMPHAL, SEPT 18:
All India Christian Council (AICC) has threatened to take Manipur government to court if the latter did not act on the directive of the National Commission for Minority (NCM) to pay a compensation of Rs 2.50 lakh to build a new church building in Chingmeirong Kabui, a Zeliangrong village in Imphal, which was damaged by the Village Council.
In order to protect their indigenous religion, the Village Council of Chingmeirong Kabui has been imposing ban on activities related to Christianity and served quit notice to its own village members who had converted to Christianity.
AICC secretary general, Dr John Dayal came down heavily on Manipur government for failure to take any action against the "unconstitutional resolution" passed by the village council stating, "No Christian activities like prayer, worship, singing and preaching is allowed within Chingmeirong Kabui village (ward no. 173), any living person violating this order will be punished…...".
He said that the Manipur government was served 15 days notice to submit a chargesheet but failed to take appropriate action. Dr. Dayal and AICC north regional secretary Rev Madhu Chandra who are camping in Imphal alleged that it was under this "unconstitutional" order passed by the Village Council/Village Chief of the village that members of the village destroyed church building and Christian houses. They flayed Manipur government for not taking appropriate action even though the NCM summoned chief secretary D. S. Poonia on September 7 at the Commission Office for failure to take up a case in connection with the church attack.
Rev Madhu Chandra said that a report on attacks on churches and Christians in Manipur compiled by the AICC had also been submitted to Manipur government. As per the report of fact-finding team, 20 cases of attack on Christians took place in Manipur from 1990 to 2004. Over 10 churches and Christian homes destroyed by anti-Christian elements.
It was alleged that that several village authorities in Manipur segregate Meetei Christians, Rongmei Christians and Nepali Christians.
The AICCC members said Manipur chief secretary had no idea about the series of attacks on Christians in Manipur. They said when the vice president of NCM, Dr H. T. Sangliana referred the fact-finding report to Poonia, the latter refused to acknowledge the crimes committed against Christian minorities which were also reported in local papers and cases registered at local police stations. The AICC also appealed Manipur chief minister to take up urgent steps to check human trafficking in the state pointing out that child trafficking in the name of religion and lucrative jobs outside the state was alarmingly increasing.(NP)

Naga body resumes indefinite blockade

Sobhapati Samom
 IMPHAL, Sept 18 – Despite an appeal from the State Government, the United Naga Council (UNC) of Manipur has announced to intensify its ongoing agitation into an "Indefinite Blockade" from today.

"As there is no tangible response from the Government of India on our prolonged grievances, the UNC is constrained to intensify its ongoing agitation into an Indefinite Economic Blockade on NH-39, NH 53 & NH 150 with effect from 6 am today, to attain our demand of alternative arrangement," UNC's publicity wing said in a release.

The UNC had been extending its blockade on Imphal-Dimapur (NH 39) and Imphal-Silchar (NH 53) Highways since August 5, despite the appeals by Central and State Governments to call it off in the public interest.

The UNC release alleged, "This drastic decision was necessitated by the unmistakable fact that it has become impossible for the Nagas to protect their right to life, land, time honoured institutions, customary practices and values under the administration of the dominant and communal government of Manipur".

Earlier, Manipur Chief Secretary DS Poonia had said the blockade was uncalled for since the government is always open to dialogue".

Steps were being taken to ensure uninterrupted supply of essentials by deploying Central forces in Naga-dominated Senapati district.

NH 39 is the better-maintained and shorter of the two routes, but the former passes through Nagaland before entering Manipur while NH 53 snakes through a longer stretch. But it is in a pathetic condition – landslide-prone and has several temporary bridges that cannot withstand the weight of goods-laden trucks.

Manipur truckers have continued to avoid NH 39 citing extortion by militants and other organisations. This is the first time that the UNC is including NH 150 under the purview of the blockade. Earlier, it was confined to NH 39 and NH 53.(AT)

Mobile bank to cover every village by 2015: RBI

VARANASI, september 14 (PTI): Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor K C Chakrabarty has said that there is plan to cover all the villages through mobile banks by 2015. Every villager would be financially included in the next 5 years, Chakrabarty told reporters.
Mobile bank is a facility under which vehicle authorised by a particular bank with officials reaches a particular village on specified time. The vehicle with bank official or authorised person provides limited services like deposit or withdrawal to villagers. RBI has prepared a road map to open a bank branch in the villages where there is appropriate space, he said. It has been decided that all the areas having a population strength of 2000 should get access to banking facility, he said.
In his Budget speech this year, the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had spoken of the decision to provide appropriate banking facilities to habitations having population in excess of 2,000 by March 2012. Speaking about circulation of fake currency, Chakrabarty said, it is an issue related to security and police is being trained to deal with this. All the banks have been informed about the security features of Rs 500 notes, he said.

AYUSH hospitals to come up in Manipur

 IMPHAL, Sept 15 – The Central Government will help Manipur to develop alternative treatment system through Ayurveda, Yoga and naturecure, Unani, Sidha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).

S Jalaja, secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, department of AYUSH, told a press conference here today that the Centre had decided to establish nine AYUSH hospitals in all nine districts of Manipur.

In the first phase the Centre has earmarked Rs 10 crore for setting up an Ayurvedic college, including a 50-bed hospital in the State.

She further said that the Centre was ready to provide funds for establishment of a Homoeopathic college in Manipur if there was a proposal from the State Government. – PTI

Manipur Govt showcaused in church attack incident

Sobhapati Samom
 IMPHAL, Sept 15 – The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has served a 15 day notice to the Manipur Government to explain the State's failure to take up a case in Chingmeirong church attack incident, according to a release by All India Christian Council (AICC), Manipur Chapter.

A church building constructed inside the private compound of one Kaphun Kamei at Chingmeirong Kabui village near here was attacked and destroyed on December 14, 2008 after the village council had resolved that 'No Christian activities like prayer, worship, singing and preaching is allowed within Chingmeirong Kabui village Ward 173. Anybody violating this order would be punished under the rules and regulations of the village council.'

The village council had served a notice to the members of the village who had converted to Christianity, the release said.

The case was reported to police who arrested seven persons involved in the incident but they were released on bail.

"Since then, neither police nor the Manipur Government took any action to book the culprits and give justice to the victims", the release said. The AICC had submitted a memorandum to the State Chief Secretary to look into the matter three days after the incident alleging that "the unconstitutional rules and regulation" by Chingmeirong Kabui village violates the basic fundamental rights provided under the Constitution of India.

On September 7, NCM had summoned the State Chief Secretary DS Poonia and gave 15 days notice to submit chargesheet of the case. The Commission is expected to write to the State Government to compensate the victims.

Meanwhile, the AICC has appealed to both NCM and the State Government to ask Chingmeirong Kabui village authority to revoke the regulation imposed on Christians in the village, the release said.

"Over 10 churches and Christian homes were destroyed by anti-Christian elements. The village authorities in many villages have segregated many Meitei Christians, Rongmei Christians and Nepali Christians", the release said quoting a fact-finding report by AICC's Public Relation secretary Reverend Madhu Chandra and Legal secretary advocate Lansinglu Rongmei in 2004. Twenty cases of attack on Christians were reported from 1990 to 2004.(AT)